Votes needed to help Teen Outreach

By Linda Metz

Staff Writer

Katie Roupe / Observer-Reporter

Mary Jo Pudgurski, president of Academy for Adolescent Health, and event coordinator Amy Gough point out some of the bad conditions of their kitchen at the academy on North Main Street in Washington. The academy is competing for an IKEA grant to renovate their kitchen and get working cabinetry and closets with real doors. To help the academy get the grant, vote on IKEA’s website starting Monday.
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Washington Hospital Teen Outreach is reaching out to area residents to help it win $10,000 in products from IKEA Pittsburgh.

“If we win, we want to improve our kitchen” at the building at 410 N. Main St., Washington, said Mary Jo Podgurski, director of the Teen Outreach program.

But to win, Podgurski’s organization has to receive more online votes than The Carnegie Museum of Art & Natural History and The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

Voting begins Monday and runs through March 11. The winner will be announced March 15.

IKEA Pittsburgh spokeswoman Jennifer Stockdale said each store was given the opportunity to nominate three local charitable projects to compete for the grand prize.

A resident of North Franklin Township, Stockdale said she just happened to mention the contest to Ken Elliott, development coordinator for Washington Hospital Foundation. Elliott then approached Podgurski about submitting a proposal for consideration.

“I’m so excited we were chosen,” Podgurski stated.

Those interested in voting in the IKEA contest can do so by going to www.thelifeimprovementproject.com. Votes can be cast once each day.